Terms like "100-year flood" and the protection approach that goes with them may need to be reevaluated in a warming world where researchers predict more extreme weather events, says Steven Wright, a professor of environmental engineering at the University. from Michigan. . Wright, who studies coastal hydraulics, explains how our approach to risk assessment is backward-looking rather than forward-looking. Yet three of New York City's worst floods have occurred in just the last two years. He makes comparisons between Hurricanes Irene and Sandy. Irene's storm surge just passed through the barrier walls, 4 feet above normal levels, while Sandy passed them on a much larger scale, nearly 14 feet above normal levels. the sea.

ABOUT THE PROFESSOR: Steven Wright is the Arthur F. Thurnau Professor and Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering (http://cee.engin.umich.edu/) in the College of Engineering at the University of Michigan. He studies coastal hydraulics, which involves measuring waves and water behavior, which helps planners and engineers design coastal barrier structures.

Please take the opportunity to connect and share this video with your friends and family if you find it useful.